Classic Play : A review

Classic Play is an online magazine dedicated to celebrating the joys of childhood.

It is inspirational and very refreshing - and there is a Sports Issue.

Check it out here.

Giants

The picture story book 'Giants' by Nick Maland was the prompt for the Tunnel Ball idea.

This is a book about empathy and letting go of assumptions and prejudices. Sweet Pea and Boogaloo take a walk through what looks like many many giants' legs.

You can find a review of it here.

Happy reading.

Tunnel Ball fun

The team game of tunnel ball can be great fun and is very appropriate for the Preschool age group.

In tunnel ball, groups of people stand in single file - with a gap of an arms length between each team member -  with the legs wide apart. The person at the beginning of the file begins by rolling the ball down the file until it reaches the end person who collects the ball and runs up the side to the front of the file. The ball must pass under the legs of each person. In the meantime, the group shuffles down a position. The new leader repeats the process until the original leader returns to the front.

This activity can be played very informally but it can also be very competitive with many rules to be adhered to.

Playing at home with your Preschooler is a great idea as it gives your little one a chance to grasp the concept of the game before it is introduced in a group setting - allowing them to get on with enjoying the activity.

A few tips....
Begin with a Use a soft ball that is the size of the participants chest...they should be able to tuck it under one arm.
The leader must ensure the ball begins on the ground before it is rolled.
Encourage the leader to look under the legs to get a straight aim.

Toddlers need not apply.

Weight, Shape and Appearance

There are many things we can do as parents - and educators - to help our little ones develop a healthy body image.

....Body image refers to how a person perceives, thinks and feels about their physical appearance. While a person’s appearance encompasses only a small part of who they are and what they contribute to the world, body image too commonly represents a person’s greater sense of self worth, whereby poor body image contributes directly to low self esteem. 


The thinking has been that the teenage years were the appropriate time to discuss issues and concerns relating to weight shape and appearance...but not so.

Unhealthy body image can begin at an early age...and anyone who works and or live with little ones could have a powerful and long lasting influence on the development of a positive body image; one where there is an acceptance of DIVERSITY in weight, shape and appearance of people.

As we go about our day, we are surrounded by images and messages that portray a narrow view of what is acceptable or good weight, shape and appearance.  Movies, TV dramas, advertisements, the influence of friends and family, music videos, music lyrics, magazines, video games, slogans and texts on clothes, seem to portray an ideal but unrealistic and many times overly sexualised image.

And it is a slippery slope from being innocent and harmless to being inappropriate.

My current concern is the overemphasis on appearance. I counted the number of times my Preschooler focused on her appearance in one day...too many to mention here. But what I found more interesting and alarming was the number of times people in our community would stop in the street and make a comment (before I can intervene) about her ensemble, or clips, her hair, her shoes - all very innocent and friendly but this happens every day. What message is that sending to the brain of a four year old girl?

I wish to avoid an overemphasis on appearance - one where it prevents her from doing more important things...like participating, or just being in the 'moment'.

The next few years, she will be joining the dots about body weight and shape - as well as appearance. So I hope and plan to provide her with the protective coping tools to help her navigate through this minefield. Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria has a website which provides a very helpful list of what parents and teachers can do to promote healthy views on weight shape and appearance. I have linked it
here.

On a final note...where do you stand on these?

Make up for tweens

Bratz dolls

The following of Suri's style?

Milk Carton Catchers

An oldie but a goodie. Homemade catchers - of sorts - made by recycling milk cartons.

I used a soft sided 3 litre carton. Sharp edges should be covered with tape - this carton was surprisingly not sharp at all.

This can be used individually; throwing and catching any object that will fit comfortably in it. Begin with items that won't roll away to readily...ie. beanbags or soft toys  are ideal.

It can also be used by two people to throw and catch to each other. With older children, suggest rallies over a makeshift net, suggest boundaries and begin simple rules. Include a bounce before catching.

We are at the stage of scooping up balls and anything that will fit in the carton. Quite a lot of investigation has taken place with regard to what fits in the carton, the tipping angle before it falls out, the noise each item makes. Not much PE yet, but a lot of other learning taking place.

And of course there is also a great deal of laughter. As you can see, all this takes place before breakfast is over.

Shapes with Elastics

Can you make a shape with three sides?

And upside down triangle.....and a right way up triangle

 Does anyone have a different shape with three sides?

A triangle where all the sides are the same length

What other shapes can be made?

A four sided shape

During this activity students exercised their mind and bodies. Spatial awareness, language, strength, flexibility, creative thinking, working in pairs.

Zigzag Lines

Zig Zag as a pathway appears in many sports and team games; skiing, dribbling in hockey, ducking and weaving in ball games. Changing directions whilst moving at a pace is described at agility and is important in many running games.

Seeing the patterns, and then using the patterns in their movement experiences gives them the foundation for when they search for a way to navigate through obstacles.

I used masking tape to make one zigzag line on the rug. We then walked along it, pushed toy cars along it and then stepped, ran and jumped over it. Many creative suggestions were put forward regarding how one might travel along and/or over it.

This activity took place over the course of the day. The zigzag line was put in place at breakfast. Allowing plenty of time for the inspiration and ideas to flow through and then the opportuntiy to return to the activity results in richness in the results - one of the many benefits of doing PhysEd at home.

Also, a larger carpeted area would have also been handy.

Resource Review

I recently attended a fabulous workshop presented by Robyn Crowe - a specialists in the area of motor development for Preschoolers and Primary aged children. Highly regarded for her innovative ideas and equipment, Robyn's passion for this area comes through in her workshops. She was very engaging and inspiring. You can find Robyn Crowe here .

Robyn has an interesting unit on elastics. We have been using elastics to continue to develop spatial awareness. I bought waistband elastics at the haberdashery store. For my Preschooler, I used a length of 160cm and tied the ends together. I also made a set for myself - adult size 2m and toddler size 120cm in length.

I left them on the coffee table to be discovered by the little ones and supervised their exploration of the new equipment. During this time, I showed the little ones how to use them safely..no stretching and flicking etc.

Then I pointed to solid shapes around the house - can you make a rectangle/square/triangle/quadrilateral?  could there be different ones? how about lying down? with one foot, or bottom. For older children,  rotations and reflections of shapes could be introduced.

Lots of fun.

40/40 with toddlers

There are many playground games that could be adapted for play at home.

'40/40 Save All' is a good one.

Pick a suitable 'home'. Assign someone as 'It'. Everyone finds a suitable hiding position.

A suitable position is one where 'Home' and 'It' can be seen by the player. The aim is to not be found by 'It' but also to return home while 'It' is away  from 'Home' searching for other players. ie. if Home is a tree, a suitable hiding spot could be simply on the other side of the tree.

'It' has to look for players and call out '40/40 I see John on the stairs' when players are spotted. 'It' also has to protect 'Home' and not let any players reach home while they are away - the consequence being another turn at being 'it'.

I played this recently with my little ones...an adapted version of course. I was 'It' and allowed my preschooler to reach 'Home', while I pretended to look for her. When she was 'It', I hid in places where it was easy for her to find me, or when I saw she was looking elsewhere, I would attempt to run 'home' but letting her reach home before I did. Lots of fun.

'What's the time Mr Wolf?'

Lunch time!!

Today, whilst on an excursion to the zoo, we stumbled upon a beautiful bit of outdoor space in our search for a spot to sit for lunch. A patch of grass, dappled shade, trees, shrubs - just perfect for a game of 'What's the time Mr Wolf".

My Preschooler had a turn at being the Wolf first. Counting is a really big 'thing' right now. 13 was the call - so she only had a couple of calls before I was right upon her. When I was close enough, I snatched the hat and ran back to base (which was the stroller). Not bad since I had my toddler in my arms.

When it was my turn (with the toddler still in my arms) I included my toddler into the game by holding up his fingers to represent the time ie. number of steps to be taken. Since the numbers we chose were small, we had several calls to make. At the call of lunchtime, we chased the Preschooler back to base - safe to play another time.
 
 It does not take long for the enthusiastic to learn the strategy and rules of the game. The wolf lures the participants close enough to him so that he can call out 'lunchtime' and catch someone. The participants tries to get as close to the wolf as possible to steal his 'treasure' (in my case, it was the hat - but a ball or scarf tucked into the pants would be safer) and return to the safety of the 'base' - usually a line (or in my case, the stroller).

Lots of fun.

This game is so perfect for Preschoolers as it involves few rules, counting, singing, estimating space, strategic thinking, anticipation, developing reaction time, agility - gleefulness. Having a turn at being the Wolf also builds self esteem.

I usually play this game with larger groups but as I found out today, it worked with just the three of us.

And now, it is bed time.

In Praise of the Ikea Noje

Such a versatile item.

Hang them. Put them on the floor. Use them together or separate them.

As targets, they are ideal for little learners. Arranged in a cluster of three, it increases the chances of success to encourage early attempts at throwing. Arranged in a single file, each container has a different difficult rating - important for scaffolding, adding interest and for encouraging little ones.

They nest into each other - and they collapse....so they do not take up too much space.

Three cheers for the Noje.

It's About Time - ACHPER

What do you get when over a 1000 Phys Ed/Health/Sport teachers gather for a conference?

A whole lot of energy, enthusiasm, tracksuits and of course, opportunities to connect and reconnect.

I attended the 2010 Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation annual conference which took place over the past two days. And as always, I am filled with great new ideas, greater determination, and a more defined purpose.

Physical Education - whether it be at home/school/sporting club - is learning how to move, to do and to play. With knowledge comes confidence and with confidence comes participation.  

This year, the theme was 'It's About Time' - to take stock of the amount of time assigned to PE classes in busy crowded school curricula and about lobbying for more PE.

I also think it could be about making time to participate in physical activity with our children. As parents we can give our little ones a wide range of positive physical experiences - and our time.

So I have a few new topics and ideas to help do just that - and will share these ideas over the coming days.

Kindayoga

While on the topic of DVDs...there is one other we like to put on and follow along whilst still in our pyjamas.

KindaYoga.- Jungle Story Vol 1. Found here.

I have been attending Yoga classes - albeit inconsistently - over the past ten years and so have built up knowledge and experience of how it is best delivered to those new to and still discovering it.

It is very child friendly and introduces yoga in a very fun and appropriate way.

I particularly love the quiet breathing.

We can now do some of the poses without the DVD - and practise it together on the grass in the backyard. I have also borrowed the breathing technique when the need to bring the energy/anxiety level down a few notches arises.

So, Kindayoga is with us all the time.

Miss Vicky on holidays

With the Ballet concert over for the year, there are no more dance classes to attend. This morning, we had quite a leisurely Monday morning compared to the rush to get to dance lessons during the school term.

"Why is Ms Vicky on holidays? Why does she need a break?" inquired my Preshooler.

Fortunately, I was prepared for this moment and pulled out the Ballet conditioning DVD I bought at an opportunity shop.

We - my toddler, my preschooler and myself - all stood in front of the TV - in our pyjamas and barefoot (as recommended by Elise - the ballerina on the cover) and attempted some of the exercises. 

The pace was slow -  hence ideal for our purposes and I personally found it quite a good workout and enjoyed the ballet context of the exercises. I tried all the exercises and my Preschooler attempted the ones she had done in class with her teacher - as well as others I thought were safe and appropriate.

Our preschooler was impressed that the ballerina on TV was doing the same things as Ms Vicky; and the moves were performed nearly as well as her.

And my toddler loved attempting the arabesque.

So we may well be seeing Miss Elise on DVD every Monday morning.

The hidden treasures of Active Play

With warmth in the air and more consistent sunny weather, our little ones have spent a lot of time preoccupied with outside play.

Many turns of the garden collecting little jugs of water, mud and sand for the making of mud pies (Preschooler) and carting, transporting pebbles and relocating objects from the back yard to front yard (Toddler) have kept both very busy - leaving me with snatches of time to do some weeding here and there.

There have been moments - briefly - where all three of us are engrossed in our own little endeavour.

Randomly slotted in amongst all this mud pie making and carting are bouts of Active Play...spontaneous skipping, hula hooping, walking-stilt(ing), hopscotching, croqueting, Jumping Jacks....etc I am glad I have just allowed for them to be lead by their imaginations and inspirations.

I came across a website which outlines the benefits of such activities when it is self lead by little individuals - rather than directed by an adult.  the hidden treasures of active play.

I also like the tips and suggestion on Role modeling for children. It is a fantastic resource.

When John and Jane went out walking....

.....they were busy talk, talk, talking. (The Pear in the Pear Tree - Pamela Allen)

We do a lot of walking - to the shops, to the park, to the river to feed ducks, to the train station and then to the zoo, museum, friends when visiting.

And while sometimes, it is much easier to use the stroller for both my Pre-schooler and toddler, I am glad that the walking option usually wins.

Because, walking is often accompanied by talking...and the topics we cover and the depth of insights that come out never ceases to amaze me.

I came across this article by Sarah Wilson during my weekend newspaper reading that may explain when 'walking and talking' go so well together.

And I hope that all this walking will prepare us all for our first short hike this summer.

Review: YMCA Play Gym

There are several YMCA Recreation Centers in our city. They offer a range of fantastic programs.

One in particular is the Play Gym. For the cost of about $6 per child, toddlers and Preschoolers (with the assistance of a carer) have access to a fully equipped gymnastics gym - a real gymnastics gym - complete with foam pit into which they can tumble.

For 45minutes, little ones and carers move around the space and try their hand on the special apparatus.

As one can see from the pictures, we have not been a for a while because,  I could not see how I could spot and coach the Preschooler and still keep the toddler from injuring himself.

But I think the 'age and stage' of our two little ones is just right now.

Play Gym sessions being an indoor activity is not only a fantastic option for when the weather is cold; it is also ideal when the weather is too hot and sunny or for when the pollen count in the air is at the highest it has been for10 years.

The challenge for me will be to remember the visit is for the little ones, not for me to revisit my gymnastics skills.

Line Jumping

Using any line on the floor, this activity develops laterality, Left and Right Concepts, directionality, static and dynamic balance and creativity.

A masking tape could be used on the floor to mark the line.  The line could be anywhere from 1 m to 4 m. This could be done with one child or small groups.

Ask your little one to listen and look up at you when you are directing. Pause until you have their attention before you begin instructions.

The instructions are:
Jump over the line; forwards, backwards. Take off and land on two feet in a controlled manner.
Jump over the line and do a quarter turn whilst in the air, turn to the left/and or right.
Jump over the line by taking off on one foot and land on two feet.
With feet side by side, jump from one side to the other - forward and backwards.
Straddle with feet on either side of the line and jog with high knee raises along the length of the line

What combination of the above could be put together in a routine?
How else could the line be traversed? crossed?

Make up a little song or rap to help remember the routine.

Product Review: Go! Go! Sports Girls, Girls Sports Dolls

I found these dolls on the internet. 
 Go! Go! Girls!

My immediate reaction is positive - if not for my own Preschooler but as a teaching tool/cheering squad/demonstration aid?

I particularly like the Swimming and Gymnastics dolls.

But I am wondering if there are Go! Go! Sports Boys?

Swooped and Spooked

A few weekends ago while on a training ride for the Great Victorian Bike Ride, I was swooped by a bird - possibly a Grey ButcherBird.

Thankfully, I was riding along the heavily wooded bike path along a Freeway and not on the road with traffic flowing close by. It was quite a frightening experience with potentially disastrous results had I been in a busier location.

So last Sunday, keen to not let this incident put me off riding, I rode with a head(helmet)dress.

I turned a few heads, I got a few smiles and I may have looked silly - but I had PIECE OF MIND at least for one leg of my ride.

Because, on my return leg I looked down at my shadow and noticed with horror the absence of spikes on my helmet.

This post is to say farewell to my head(helmet)dress - you gave me confidence to ride through Magpie Swooping territory.

For more information on Swooping Birds click on here.

I am going to try googly eyes for my next ride.